Former Union minister of state and BJP leader Jayawantiben Mehta passed away in Mumbai in the wee hours of Monday after a brief illness.

Former Union minister of state and BJP leader Jayawantiben Mehta passed away in Mumbai in the wee hours of Monday after a brief illness.

She was 78.

Mehta, the former minister of state for power, breathed her last around 1:25am. The last rites will take place at 5:30pm at Shivaji Park crematorium here, Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye told PTI.

Mehta was made the minister of state in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet in 1999.

Saddened by the passing away of Jayawantiben Mehta. We remember her rich contribution to the nation. Condolences to her family.